Is CBD Legal in Panama?

CBD is regulated as a medicine in Panama, not as a consumer wellness product. Under Law 242 of 2021 and Executive Decree 25 of 2024, cannabidiol falls inside the medical cannabis framework administered by the Ministry of Health (MINSA). There is no separate hemp-CBD carve-out and no legal threshold that automatically exempts low-THC CBD from controlled-substance treatment. CBD oils, isolates, and finished products require sanitary registration with the National Directorate of Pharmacy and Drugs (DNFD) before they can be imported, manufactured, or dispensed, and they can only be sold through licensed pharmacies on prescription.

Open-shelf CBD cosmetics, food, beverages, and pet products that are common in the United States and parts of Europe do not have a clear legal pathway in Panama. Customs officers at Tocumen International Airport and at land borders routinely seize CBD tinctures and gummies carried by travelers, even those sold legally at origin, because the products lack DNFD sanitary registration. Selling unregistered CBD can trigger fines and seizure. Patients with a Panamanian prescription can access imported CBD medicines such as Epidyolex through the registry mechanism set out in Decree 25.

This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal advice. Verify current law with qualified counsel before making compliance decisions.